Digital commerce continues to grow. Its turnover in the Canary Islands last year reached 3,540 million euros, which is equivalent to 6.5% of the islands' GDP.
Sergio Perdomo, from San Bartolomé and spokesperson for Felapyme, explains in an interview with Ekonomus the measures they are carrying out to support sales in physical stores such as virtual Lanzarote or the Consume Lanzarote vouchers. Also other issues, such as the arrival of cruises, municipal beautification ordinances or the announced strike during the next Black Friday.
Lanzarote stores multiply their online sales
Perdomo acknowledges that the multitude of online platforms “harm local commerce”, but precisely one of Felapyme's strategies has been to help physical stores also get on the bandwagon of electronic sales, which have grown strongly so far this year.
Two years ago, Felapyme launched virtual Arrecife, an online sales platform for the city's commerce that “in its first year did not reach 100 sales”, explains Perdomo.
Last year, the platform was renamed virtual Lanzarote, to accommodate all those on the island and “it already has almost 500 sales so far in 2025”, explains the Felapyme spokesperson.
In fact, the number of local businesses continues to grow in Lanzarote. “In the last year, 50 businesses closed, but about 100 new stores opened”, shares Perdomo.
"The cruise passenger does not find in Arrecife the attraction that makes him stay”
Perdomo acknowledges that the announced strike by commerce workers for Black Friday can harm businesses, since it is the moment with the most sales of the year, only behind the Christmas period. “We have to sit down and talk and reach agreements so that the strike does not occur”, he considers
Asked about the economic impact of the huge cruise ships that are arriving in the capital on Sundays, such as those that brought 9,000 cruise passengers last August 20, the Felapyme spokesperson considers that “it was noticed in a minority of businesses, but most of the businesses were closed”.
“The issue of cruises should be improved, especially because Arrecife is a bit disorganized. It is necessary to fix streets, put information areas to know the areas of interest, take care of closed premises... The cruise passenger does not find in Arrecife the attraction that makes him stay”, considers the Felapyme spokesperson.
Beautification ordinances and Consume Lanzarote
One of the strategies of the Arrecife city council to make the city more attractive has been the development of new beautification ordinances, which will legally oblige businesses to apply traditional construction and decorative principles of the island.
Although it is not yet mandatory, Perdomo confirms that some businesses are already adding to their principles voluntarily. “For example Siroco, in the Plazuela”.
On the other hand, the initiative that Felapyme values “very positively” is Consume Lanzarote, which it organizes jointly with the Cabildo.
The first institution of the island has invested 100,000 euros more than last year, which translates into 3,400 more vouchers up to a total of 12,900.
Each voucher is valued at 60 euros. Half is contributed by the Cabildo and the other half by the client.
“We hope to reach 300 participating businesses. Last year there were 260”, shares the Felapyme spokesperson.